santa cruz

We're havin fun in the Santa Cruz sun this Mother's Day with the whole Christensen crew.

Life truly is good because of all the moms out there. 

My life is better because of my moms.

My life is better because I get to be a mom.

And my life is better knowing that I get to see my kids become mothers one day. 

Happy Mother's day, whether you're a mom or not.

The Skinny and Me: Hair Edition

Hurry on over to The Skinny Confidential to check out my hair routine.

April Showers

 I spent the month of April bawling like a baby.

Sobbing like I haven't in years.

It started one morning while I was waiting outside Zuri's preschool. I was going through my Email and I noticed one from her new Kindergarten school she'll be attending this Fall and opened it immediately. 

I was shocked at what I read.

It stated that she couldn't be enrolled in the Transitional Kindergarten program I put her in because of her birthday. 

I knew I wanted to give her one extra year before real kindergarten, but until I opened that Email I didn't realize how much I wanted that extra year for her, and for us, too.

So, I was a little mad and confused, and in the next minute the kids were walking out the door of the school. 

Before I knew what I was doing,  I was out of my car and walking into her teachers house...Her teacher welcomed me in and asked what was up,  and the next thing I know I open my mouth and can't speak. I find myself in this house that feels so comfy, and I'm standing in front of this lady who loves my daughter like her grandma's do, and then crocodile tears are flowing freely---and I'm astounded by the amount of water coming down my face...it was dripping down my chin and onto my chest---I was sobbing without any warning at all.

I couldn't believe it!  And Zu's teacher couldn't believe it either...I told her in between sobs that Zuri didn't qualify for the TK program and how concerned and scared I felt.  She just hugged me and rubbed my back while listening to the whole thing. It's funny now to think that I ended up snuggling Zuri's preschool teacher like she was my mom---But that's exactly what I needed in that moment and mine was so, so far away.

She gave me courage to fight it, to write a letter of appeal--to even march into the school and bawl to the staff just like I was bawling to her until someone paid attention. So, I did.

But the tears didn't stop when that was over.

I found myself crying over everything.

I went to yoga one night when Bronson and Landon were out of town, and I was so disappointed when I realized it was a 'Sundown Yoga' class and not the regular thing. The teacher was pretty much the guy from the Clear Eyes commercial with the most monotone, deep and boring voice ever, and the class consisted of 2 whopping leg stretches and a lot of child pose. I wasn't feeling it after 45 minutes and contemplated leaving until the Clear Eyes Allergy drops guy's voice started to engulf me. 

I was hanging on to every word suddenly, feeling every stretch, and I became totally relaxed. The class was winding down and we were laying on our back--the Clear Eyes yogi was telling us to be present, to feel our feelings, feel our bodies, be grateful for who we are where we've been, and all of a sudden I'm lying there bawling all over again. Emotions I haven't felt in years surfaced and there I was just feeling all of them at once.

And the rest of the month I continued to cry.

I cried over Grey's Anatomy.

I cried over Zuri not knowing all of her letters.

And then, I cried over Zuri learning the letters she didn't know.

I cried cause the house is always messy.

I cried because I miss my family.

I cried over my old life in Utah, my friends, and all the fun we had.

I cried because I feel so loved.

I cried because I feel so grateful.

I cried because I stopped nursing Remi.

I cried because I know I'm been watched over. 

I cried because my family is growing and evolving too fast.

I cried because I'm scared for whats to come.

I cried because I miss feeling silly and spontaneous.

I cried over the new and amazing people I have in my life now.

And after a lot of tears and thought, I think it all comes down to this:

A chapter in my families life is ending. I have a daughter entering school and I know that for the rest of her life and mine that she wont ever be as safe and as sheltered as she is hanging out with us. My husbands career is taking off and its clear we are no longer 18 years old anymore...I see him growing and excelling and I'm so proud of him--and, then I see weird lines in both our foreheads that surely weren't there just last year....

This growing older thing is crazy, right?  Hopefully I'll get used to it one day. 

BE STILL

"Sometimes, in order to gain some perspective on things, you have to halt for a moment. Just stop. Start thinking, think deeper. After all, you can’t see your reflection in running water, only in still water.
When something is bugging you, sometimes you just gotta be like a water repellant and let the bullshit just drip right off you.
And sometimes… When your mind just can’t comprehend, can’t understand.. When nothing makes sense – that’s when you have to realize that the only way to live your life at peace with yourself and your surroundings is by looking at things through your heart and not your mind." -unknown

It's good to be back. Like my new space?


PS, I missed you.

Lego utensil lovin

My cute dad and mom sent over a package of goodies to us and the girls a few days ago.
This isn't unusual.  We're always getting treats from them via the US postal service, thus, the reason we renamed our mail lady (whose actually named Denise) to Santa Claus, but this package contained a four little items that flipped my world upside down.

These little guys right here.

These Lego utensils have changed eating time in our house in ways I can't describe. It's actually silly to think something as simple as switching out your kids spoons and forks could make your day a little bit easier and a whole lot happier-but it's true! Remi sits in her high chair without whining for me to hold her for the first time EVER, and Zuri isn't rushing through meals just to get back to whatever toy, iPad game, or friends she was last playing with.

You can find a set of 3 (red, yellow, and blue) HERE from CP Underground

for $19.99---but enter the promo code: LEGO and the price drops to $11.99!

Technical difficulties.

Hi babes,

If you haven't already noticed, there hasn't been much activity over here on LoveChugs lately.

Don't fret, though.... Its just that we've had a few minor set backs with possible hackers, and we are doing our very best to get things up and running securely again as soon as possible.

Oh, and my Instagram got hacked as well....

I'm just saying, no, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, and thank you so much for your concern.

In the mean time, I have come up with some not so creative words for rude, inconsiderate hackers that all seem to rhyme with smash-hole, mick, and/or toosh bag.

If you have any other creative options for me to start throwing around, please let me know.

Love,
Weslie

April 11th....my moms day.

Growing up my parents birthday's were my favorite. 

I loved to make my mom leave the house on her birthday. While she was away I would clean the counter tops really good, then draw her a homemade card and I knew she would always notice and be over the top thrilled about my 'gift' to her when she would come back.

Today is my moms birthday.

And today, I feel like going to her house with my freshly torn out of a notebook letter to her and just hanging out. 

And, I think I love this most about my mom. 

She doesn't need stuff to feel loved. 

She just needs the people she loves to be around her-that's when she's happiest.

She makes it really clear that her children and her family are enough for her,  and she accepts them just the way they are. This is what I want to take away most from being her daughter...Its what I want my kids to know about me.

So, today is special...its marked in my heart.

Happy birthday, Mom! 

I love you

PS! To all my Utah readers: Go to my friend Kari's blog, Treasure Layne, to read about how you can help Cody Walker by getting your photo professionally taken. 

Its a win/win!